BORO have bettered their best ever kit sponsorship deal by extending their current contract with the world's leading manufacturer of satellite navigation systems, Garmin Sat-Nav.
BORO boss Gareth Southgate, chairman Steve Gibson and Garmin officials posed for press as they announced the deal, which will see the words 'Garmin Sat-Nav' branded across the chest of the BORO players until the end of 2008-2009 season.
BORO's Chief Operating Officer, Neil Bausor spoke on the deal, "The new deal cements our relationship with Garmin and allows us an opportunity to forge a strong partnership over the next 18 months and drive both our success in football, business and community support."
The new deal allows Garmin to further raise their existing global profile and marketing Director Clive Taylor added "Garmin is very proud to associate its name with such a prestigious Premier League club, both organisations share the desire to be on the leading edge of our respective fields."
Meanwhile BORO recently launched their latest 'kit debate'. Fans were given the opportunity to vote for whether the next BORO kit should sport the famous 'white band' or whether the shirt should be all red. An overwhelming majority (80%) of fans voted for a return of the 'white-band', like that worn by BORO players throughout 888.com's sponsorship reign.
Following the success of the poll, club officials have decided, for the first time, to allow fans the opportunity to vote on next season's home shirt. Previously fans have been able to choose the away kit that BORO would wear, but now fans have been given a choice of three new designs for the 2008-2009 season home shirt.
Tuncay Sanli, David Wheater and Adam Johnson model the three new shirts below.
Take a closer look at the three new shirts and vote at the Official MFC Website
Friday, 18 January 2008
BORO Strike New Garmin Deal
Wednesday, 16 January 2008
Alves on his way?
BORO transfer target Afonso Alves is understood to be close to sealing a move to BORO after a visit to The Riverside to meet with manager Gareth Southgate.
It is understood that Alves' team, Heerenveen, are asking for around £15 million for the super-striker who netted more than 30 goals last season and it is thought that BORO are close to agreeing a deal with the player.
However the deal is set to hit turmoil as Heerenveen's rivals AZ Alkmaar claim they have a 'pre-agreement' with the player, which stated that he would join the club at the beginning of January.
Whilst BORO are close to a deal with Heerenveen, if the Dutch FA rule that Alves is officially an AZ player then BORO would have to begin negotiations with AZ over a deal for the player and it is likely that AZ would demand a higher price for the player who has insisted that his future does not lie in Holland, as he hopes to move to England.
Alves' visit to The Riverside, at the weekend, enraged AZ officials who are convinced that Alves should be their player after agreeing to join them at the end of 2007 and the club have called for the Dutch FA to step in and rule on the whole saga.
The Evening Gazette have also reported that French side Monaco are showing interest in BORO's inconsistent Brazilian midfielder Fabio Rochemback, who has long been the subject to speculation suggesting that he is unhappy at The Riverside and wishes to leave. Reports last year claimed that Fabio's father was pleading with other continental clubs to make an approach for the player.
Sunday, 13 January 2008
A Brighter Week
BORO followed last week's 2-1 FA Cup away win at Bristol City with a well deserved and vital 1-1 home draw against giants Liverpool.
Gareth Southgate was delighted last week as he saw his weakened side come from behind to bag a 2-1 away win against Bristol City with goals from top scorer Stewart Downing and a surprisingly cool finish from defender David Wheater.
But yesterday BORO were up against former European Champions Liverpool at the Riverside, a team that have, in fact, failed to win in any of their last 5 visits to the Riverside.
BORO started, as they have in recent weeks, by absorbing the pressure and defending comfortably, despite some early chances when, first, Gerrard saw his angled drive palmed away by Schwarzer, then Sami Hyypia's header flew just over the bar.
Liverpool were, once again, looking uncomfortable at the Riverside and it was BORO who took the lead on 26 minutes. George Boateng, back in the side and wearing the captain armband, took possession on half way before playing the ball to the obvious choice, Stewart Downing, who played a pin-point cross to O'Neil, who then headed the ball across goal where Aliadiere headed the ball back across goal again for George Boateng to follow up and flick it into the net. The perfect way to mark his return to the squad.
Andriy Voronin made a desperate penalty claim early in the second half as he was shrugged over by Robert Huth, but referee Andre Marriner waved away the appeals.
As they usually do, BORO appeared on top against their higher rated opposition and nearly took advantage of some simply awful play from Liverpool as Tuncay turned to find Downing inside the the box and he lashed a powerful left foot shot, which smashed off the inside of the post after Jose Reina managed to get the faintest touch with his fingertips and Gary O'Neil lofted the rebound over the bar.
Liverpool mounted a late comeback in the last twenty minutes of the game and on 71 minutes Fernando Torres took advantage of some sloppy defending and rocketed a 20-yard shot past Mark Schwarzer, yet another contender for 'goal of the season' scored past BORO.
Liverpool then mounted a late charge and Ryan Babel saw his long range drive flash past the BORO goal, but it was not enough to salvage a win and BORO held on for a vital point.
"I am really pleased with the performance we gave." - Gareth Southgate.
Attendance: 33, 035
BORO Blog BORO Man of the Match: Stewart Downing
Wednesday, 2 January 2008
Bad Start to the Year
Despite the determined start from both sides, few chances were created and a series of no-nonsense challenges in soggy conditions showed each side's willingness to grab a result.
Former BORO striker, Yakubu, was given a tough time from the home crowd and, indeed, from the BORO deffence with some good hard challenges from BORO's Robert Huth, who gave one of the best performances in a BORO shirt.
With both Tim Cahill and Mikel Arteta missing for Everton, Gareth Southgate was feeling confident that his team could grind out a result. However it wasn't going to be easy against a side that have lost twice in their last sixteen games.
BORO, filled with confidence from their 1-0 win against Portsmouth showed courage and invention going forward, but few solid chances were presented before Stewart Downing saw his effort cleared off the line by Phil Jagielka.
BORO still looked favourite to score in the second half and would have taken the lead if not for a great save from Tim Howard to deny Gary O'Neil from close range.
Then in the 67th minute Everton made BORO pay for their lack of finishing quality as Andy Johnson found himself open inside the box to knock the ball past keeper Mark Schwarzer.
Just five minutes later Everton struck again as Johnson combined with McFadden to set up the Scot for Everton's second and to give BORO no way back.
Attendance: 27, 028
BORO Blog BORO Man of the Match: Luke Young
